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Extinction 1 The termination of any lineage of organisms, from subspecies to species and higher taxonomic categories from genera to phyla. Extinction can be local, in which one or more populations of a species or another unit vanish but others survive elsewhere, or total (global), in which all the populations vanish. When biologists speak of extinction without further qualifications, they mean total extinction. Extirpate A species no longer occurring where it once lived; to entirely remove from an area. For example, the mountain lion has been extirpated from the Northeast, but is still found in much of the western U.S. Extractive reserves 1 A wild habitat from which timber, latex and other natural materials are taken on a sustained yield basis with minimal environmental damage and, ideally, without the extinction of native species. Fern A flowerless, seedless lower vascular plant that reproduces by spores. Field laboratory site A temporary or permanent place where scientific research, usually having to do with the environment, is prepared and/or carried out. Flowering plant A plant that produces flowers, fruit, and seeds and is more complex than non-flowering plants, such as conifers (evergreens) or fungi. Fungi A group of plants, such as mushrooms, molds, rusts, and mildews, which derive nutrients from decomposing organic matter instead of through photosynthesis because they lack chlorophyll. Genetic adaptation A change in genetic composition that occurs naturally over time so that an organism is more efficient and competitive in its environment. Genetics A branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of DNA in organisms. Genus 1 A group of similar species of common descent. Examples: Canis, comprising the wolf, domestic dog, and similar species; and Quercus, the oaks. Geological time Time periods throughout the history of the earth. Giant panda A mammal that resembles the bear but is actually related to the raccoon. It is found only in isolated parts of China and now in some zoos. It eats mainly bamboo and small rodents or fish. B i o l o g i c a l 40 D i v e r s i t y
Global warming An increase in the climatic temperature of the earth over a period of time. Greenhouse effect A gradual warming of the earth’s atmosphere due to an increase in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the air coming from industrial smoke, car exhaust and the destruction of vegetation that uses carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. The excess CO 2 traps the sun’s energy radiating from earth, causing the warming. Habitat 1 An environment of a particular kind, such as a lake shore or tall-grass prairie; also a particular environment in one place, such as the mountain forests of Tahiti. Habitat island 1 A patch of habitat separated from other patches of the same habitat, such as a glade separated by a forest or a lake separated by dry land. Habitat islands are subject to much the same ecological and evolutionary processes as “real” islands. Hodgkin’s disease A cancer that involves the enlargement of the lymph glands, spleen and liver. There is no known cure, but there are successful treatments. Host An organism providing something (for example, food, transportation, etc.) for another. The relationship can harm, benefit or have no discernable effect on the host. Humidity The concentration of moisture in the air. If it is raining, there is 100% humidity. Hybrid 1 The offspring of parents that are genetically dissimilar, especially of parents that belong to different species. Invertebrate 1 Any organism lacking a backbone of bony segments that enclose the central nerve cord. Most organisms are invertebrates, from sea anemones to earthworms, spiders and butterflies. Keystone species 1 A species, such as the sea otter, that affects the survival and abundance of many other species in the community in which it lives. Its removal or addition results in a relatively significant shift in the composition and sometimes even the physical structure of the community. Latitudinal diversity gradient 1 The trend, widespread but not universal among plants and animals, toward greater diversity with closer proximity to the equator. B i o l o g i c a l 41 D i v e r s i t y
Page 1: Biological Diversity: T H E O L D E
Page 4 and 5: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW
Page 6 and 7: Copyright © 1999 by The New York S
Page 9 and 10: Preface This book is based on a man
Page 11 and 12: Additional information on the activ
Page 13 and 14: Biological Diversity: T H E O L D E
Page 15 and 16: some degree of potency. A much high
Page 17 and 18: Some groups of organisms, such as f
Page 19 and 20: to their environment and to one ano
Page 21 and 22: N EW YORK’S BIODIVERSITY IS THREA
Page 23 and 24: 12 10 Number of Butterflies Observe
Page 25 and 26: It is possible that the next hundre
Page 27 and 28: environment. For almost 3 billion y
Page 29 and 30: W ITH ITS WISPINESS AND LIGHT-AND-D
Page 31 and 32: sophisticated microscopic and bioch
Page 33 and 34: The tropical zones generally have a
Page 35 and 36: average as well as greater ecologic
Page 37 and 38: early extinction within the next 30
Page 39 and 40: perished. As the paleontologist Dav
Page 41 and 42: collected in the stream in 1936 and
Page 43 and 44: Systematics, or taxonomy, is at the
Page 45 and 46: Community ecology addresses the man
Page 47 and 48: Biological field stations from four
Page 49 and 50: Biogeography 1 The scientific study
Page 51: Dispersal In biology, the way a spe
Page 55 and 56: Ozone A form of oxygen (O 3 ) that
Page 57 and 58: Termites A group of insects that is
Page 59 and 60: Grifo, Francesca, and J. Rosenthal
Page 61 and 62: diverse and why the threat to that
Page 63 and 64: Mitchell, Richard S., L. Danaher, a
Page 65 and 66: 9. Is an ecologist the same as a ta
Page 67 and 68: 31. Do you know of a biological res
Page 69 and 70: B i o l o g i c a l 57 D i v e r s
Page 72: THE NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM IS A PROG

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